Mata: Chelsea must qualify for the Champions League next season

The Blues' midfielder stressed the importance of finishing in the Premier League's top four, as well as his desire to go all the way in the FA Cup and Europa League this term

Juan Mata insists Chelsea must finish in the top four this season, as the midfielder aims to land the Blues' back in the Champions League, the competition which they won last season.

The former Valencia midfielder joined the Blues while Andre Villas Boas was in charge, meaning Mata is now working under his third boss in 18 months at Stamford Bridge.

The Spain international reiterated the importance of Champions League qualification, as well as urging his team-mates to push for the FA Cup and Europa League trophies this season.

"If we can finish in the top four, after ending sixth last year, that would mean we have more consistency and is a step forward," he told the Guardian.

"We've learned from what happened last year and won't make the same mistakes again. We know we have to be playing in next season's Champions League.

"But if we can win, say, the Europa League, it would have been another great season for the club. They have never won that trophy before. Neither have I and there are so many things I still want to win: the Premier League is one.

"We are a present and a future team. We have so many players who have been here a long time and have won a lot of trophies, but we have a good mix in the dressing room with young players who have come in, like me last season or Oscar this.

This club, and this team, has a bright future and, next season, one of the most important aims will be to win the title again. I want to do that here.

"I look back on these two years happily. I know I said the first 12 months I had here were the best of my career but, since then, I have won the European Championship with Spain so it's not been too bad. Everything has gone right so far: trophies, my life here in London, growing as a person. But this is only the start."